Both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha are expected to see protest by the Opposition even today, as they stand firm on their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus surveillance issue and the three farm laws instead of the day's business.
The Lok Sabha is scheduled to discuss Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Five Bills, including the Population Reorganisation Bill, 2019 and The State Reorganization Commission Bill, 2019, are scheduled to be discussed in the Rajya Sabha.
Here are today’s updates:
Congress' Member Chowdhary says, "From the beginning we have been demanding the repeal of the three black laws concerning farmers."
BJP MP Arjun Meghwal interjects and says, "We are also asking from the beginning for a discussion to happen."
Clause by clause consideration of the Bill underway in the House.
Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is passed by the Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha adjourned till Monday, 11 a.m.
LS passes Taxation Laws (Amendment), Central Universities (Amendment) Bills amid din
Dharmendra Pradhan moves that The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2021 be taken up for consideration and passing.
Mr. Pradhan says the amendment has been brought in for the setting up of a Central University in Ladakh. "I’m fortunate that I have the opportunity of concluding this “pure” act. It’s a happy coincidence that the Bill for Central University for Ladakh is being taken up one day after the second anniversary of the removal of Article 370."
"A 110-acres campus will be set up. It will allow for students of Ladakh and Kargil to emotionally integrate with the rest of the country. It’s name will be the Sindhu University," he says.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary interjects and says, "With all humility, I must say the NDA government has passed this at the behest of the Supreme Court and due to the international case. The same Supreme Court has yesterday…" He gets interrupted at this point and his mic is muted as he begins to speak of the Supreme Court's observations about the Pegasus issue.
The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is passed in the Lok Sabha.
Finance Minister Sitharaman moves The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 for consideration and passing.
Ms. Sitharaman provides the background of the Bill and of retrospective taxation in the country.
"Retrospective tax was brought in as a clarificatory amendment. But, there was a lot of disagreement and we, while in the Opposition, said that it was bad in law. Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley made a commitment that the BJP government will look into it through a high -level committee," Ms. Sitharaman says.
"No fresh cases were filed. We were waiting for the two cases that were in court to reach their logical conclusion," she says. "Those cases have now reached a conclusion and respecting the commitment made by Mr. Jailtey and in line with the BJP's belief that doesn’t believe in retrospective taxation, we bring this Bill. I urge Members to support the Bill."
Clause by clause consideration of the Bill underway in the House.
Sloganeering by Opposition members on farmers' law continues.
Sloganeering intensifies.
Member Sushil Kumar Modi raises the issue of illegal use of HTBT cotton seeds in Maharashtra. In reply, the Minister says, "The government would recommend action against it by the State government."
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day. The House to meet on Monday, at 11 a.m.
RS adjourned twice as Opposition protests continue
Arjun Ram Meghwal says N.K. Premachandran has listed a discussion on COVID-19, and "it is not the government that is preventing the discussion".
Papers get tabled, even as Opposition MPs continue to protest loudly on the Pegasus snooping scandal and the three farm laws.
Secretary General makes a statement.
Opposition MPs raise slogans of “shame shame” and “Modi government is running away from the discussions”.
Rajya Sabha proceedings resume.
Question Hour under way.
Opposition Members gather in the Well of the House.
Sloganeering continues by the Opposition members on farm laws.
Lok Sabha proceedings resume. Rajendra Agarwal is in the Chair.
Opposition starts protesting.
Mr. Agarwal says none of the adjournment motions have been admitted.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary says the third week of the Monsoon Session is about to get over and barely any business has been concluded. "I urge the government to speak to the Opposition," he says and warns, "this intoxication of power is unseemly".
Dr. Samsit Patra seeks more infrastructural development in Odisha. "The State has been badly affected by natural disasters, which has upset its economy. The Centre-State sharing pattern should be changed. Presently, in several schemes, it is 60 (Centre):40 (State). Odisha should be given the status of special-focus State. It should be given funds in the 90:10 ratio for the about three years," he says.
Member Ramnath Thakur raises the issue of pendency in courts, stating that about 4 crore cases are pending. "In the Supreme Court, eight positions are vacant and two more will become vacant this month. More Judges need to be appointed," he says.
House adjourned till 12 p.m.
Sharmishtha Sethi (BJD) poses questions on the National Nutrition Mission.
Smriti Irani says the government has continuously engaged with State governments and is committed to nutrition for all children and lactating mothers.
Speaker Birla requests the protesting MPs to return to their seats.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 p.m.
The Chairman has admitted notices on calling attention and other notices for discussion on various issues, including the three farm laws that the farmers are protesting against.
Leader of Opposition and Parliamentary Affairs Minister are asked to sit together and decide the schedule for the discussions.
Opposition Members gather in the Well of the House and shout slogans.
Zero Hour continues amid sloganeering.
BJP's Harnath Singh Yadav says English should be taught as a supplementary subject. "Regional languages should be given prominence."
Jamyang Namgyal (BJP) speaks on environmental issues in the Himalayan regions.
Bhupendra Yadav says the government is setting up Himalaya observation centres. "Education, awareness and training is also provided. The government is sensitive to the concerns of Ladakh" he says.
Sumalatha Ambarish (Independent) speaks about respiratory disorders arising out of mining activities.
Bhupendra Yadav answers that 1,114 monitoring stations have been set up in 34 States for air pollution.
Sunil Kumar (BJP) asks a question on institutional deliveries.
MoS Health Bharati Pawar tries to answer, but the Opposition protests get louder. Senior Minister Mansukh Mandaviya intervenes says, "Dr. Pawar, a doctor from the tribal community wants to answer for the first time in the Lok Sabha, but the Opposition is intent on insulting her and is refusing to listen."
"The Opposition doesn’t want to listen to a woman and a doctor on an important issue of the health of our women and mothers," he adds.
"Maternal Mortality Rates have gone down. The government is committed to bringing this rate down further."
Some Opposition Members begin hooting when Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stands up to lay on the table his statement pertaining to Housing and Urban Affairs.
Just as the Zero Hour is about to start, Congress leader Anand Sharma interjects to express disappointment about statements on behalf of several Ministers being made by one member.
Lok Sabha proceedings begin.
Speaker Om Birla is in the Chair.
Speaker Birla mentions that today marks 76 years of the dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima and on August 9 in Nagasaki. "Even today, citizens of those cities are facing the consequences of the bomb. Let us dedicate ourselves to world peace."
Mr. Birla applauds Ravi Dahiya for winning the silver medal for wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics.
Question Hour begins.
The Opposition starts protesting. Opposition MPs rush to the Well shouting slogans.
Proceedings begin in the Rajya Sabha.
The Deputy Chairman Harivansh, presiding over the House, congratulates Ravi Dahiya for winning Silver medal at the TOkyo Olympics.
Papers being laid on the table of the House.
Lok Sabha
Bills for Consideration and Passing:
Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Private Members' Legislative Business
Rajya Sabha
Private Members' Legislative Business
Bills for consideration and passing:
The Safeguarding and Adjudicating Farmers' Economic Rights Commission Bill, 2018
The State Reorganization Commission Bill, 2019
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (amendment of articles 217 and 224)
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (amendment of article 343)
The Population Reorganisation Bill, 2019
